Friday, October 23, 2009

Today launches the Megalinks in brand new Friday top ten form. While you're scrolling, don't forget to check out the honorable mentions section, a short list of other noteworthy stories and posts. It's a linkapalooza, minus the obligatory Jane's Addiction reunion.

1)Improv Everywhere: Grocery Store MusicalYears ago, I took improv comedy classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater in New York. In addition to it being the most fun thing ever, it’s where I met the Husband-Elect. (Amy Poehler will kind of be responsible for the birth of our kids, in the most roundabout way ever.) Improv Everywhere was created by UCB veteran Charlie Todd, and what they do is just wonderful. Grocery Store Musical is just their latest stroke of genius. If you have time, browse the site (especially the U2 stunt), and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

2) The Atlantic: Preparing for Gastric BypassIf you know someone going in for bariatric surgery, forward him/her this excellent piece about communicating with medical teams. The first part (regarding complications of a particular case) is a little scary, but the rest really emphasizes the support systems needed to make the procedure a successful one. It’s as much mental as physical.

4) Huffington Post: Anthony Bourdain – Coolness Factor Wearing ThinIt’s a long, detailed, occasionally condescending argument for eating less meat disguised as an anti-Bourdain missive. And while I essentially agree with Kozloff, it seems like he might want to advocate moderation rather than rail against carnivores. P.S. If I was Bourdain reading this, I’d be most offended at the very first word: “celebrity.”

5) New York Times: A Few Cookies a Day to Keep the Pounds Away?What John Nemet’s Cookie Diet says: Eat cookies! Get thin! What John Nemet’s Cookie Diet forgets to say:Pay $56 a week to eat cookies! Get thin temporarily! Become viciously unhealthy! Gain every pound back the second you quit eating the cookies!

6) The Simple Dollar: Ethical Frugality Week - Free SamplesAre you obligated to buy something if you scarf a few free samples at CostCo? I say no, but that’s only because I’m usually in there to buy something anyway. The food is kind of a nice perk. If you’re doing it constantly, it’s another story. Readers?

10)The Simple Dollar: Monday MailbagA reader wrote in to Trent regarding a Crate and Barrel advertisement, claiming the store was too expensive to be displayed on a personal finance blog. Rather than get into the ethics of blogs advertising (which I’m kind of new at), I’m gonna defend C&B for a minute. Because seriously, they have some great deals if you know where to look. A lot of their everyday glassware and smaller utensils are under $2 each, and the sales tend to be really solid. Plus, it’s always nice to give somebody a set of glasses in a C&B box, while secretly knowing you only paid $12.